In The News

Developer plans more retail, housing near Liberty Center

February 12, 2016

Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER, OHIO

Liberty Center’s developer has big plans for land it owns across the street from the mixed-use shopping destination.

West Chester Township’s board of trustees approved a preliminary development plan and zoning change Tuesday for more than 19 acres of land along Liberty Way west of Interstate 75.

Columbus-based Steiner & Associates wants to develop new condos, shopping and dining options and office space on what's now vacant agricultural land. The land, which is part of what was the Keefe family farm, is west of the Cabela’s store that opened last year and north of the Preserve at Wetherington residential community.

The zoning change was needed to permit residential development at the site. Steiner is now expected to return to the board to address issues such as parking, drainage, landscaping and other issues as part of a final development plan.

“We have what I consider to be the dream team on this project,” said trustee President George Lang. “It’s really going to take West Chester to another level.”

On nearly 13 acres of the property, Steiner wants to develop 112,620 square feet of retail space, 8,000 square feet of restaurant space and 29,775 square feet of office space. This portion of land would offer nearly 500 on- and off-street parking spaces.

Six multifamily buildings featuring 96 units and eight carriage houses would be developed on about six acres of land. The four-story buildings would be developed to have partial underground garages. The carriage houses would be two stories tall with a ground level and two-car garages. The residential component will have a total of 208 parking spaces of on- and off-street parking.

The proposed residential density is more than three times higher than the township’s land use plan recommendation for the area. However, it is less than what was approved in 2012 for the Savoy apartments at the Streets of West Chester development.

“The Liberty Way interchange off of I-75 has spurred tremendous economic growth over the past few years and the interest in the retail development of this site is very strong,” the development company said in its zoning change petition. “However, it is our belief that single use developments are not the most appropriate development model nor compliment the surrounding community.

“The integration of a true mix of uses including retail, restaurant and office and residential is the most authentic development pattern and allows a more natural transition from the retail and residential uses.”

Steiner subsidiary Liberty Way Investments has a contract to buy the land now owned by Tylers Place Associates LLC, a subsidiary of Sharonville-based Great Traditions Land & Development Co.

Completing a new project on this land helps support Steiner's vision of the Liberty Way corridor being a vibrant mixed-use hub for entertainment, shopping and a wide array of other uses as well.

Steiner opened the first phase of its $350 million Liberty Center real estate development in Liberty Township last year. The 65-acre site along Interstate 75 between Liberty Way and Ohio 129 features dozens of retail stores and restaurants, apartments, office space, a movie theater and a hotel. Liberty Way, which runs on the southern border of the site, separates Liberty and West Chester townships.

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2016/02/09/developer-plans-more-retail-housing-near-liberty-center/80054702/